Annual event to feature more than 60 authors

Louisville author Linda Anne Wulf talks to Owen Anderson of Madison during the 2011 That Book Place author fair and anniversary celebration. (Courier file photo by Ken Ritchie)

This year’s guest of honor is Hoosier author James Alexander Thom.

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That Book Place will host its third annual author and book fair on March 15 and 16. And this year, store owners have promised more activities, more books and more authors.

"We're really excited about this because we have so much going on and so much support from local businesses," said owner Frank Hall.

That Book Place has been at its hilltop location on 337 Clifty Drive for seven years, and after starting the annual fair three years ago, the event has grown every year since.

Last year, it brought more than 1,000 visitors.

This year's event will bring more than 60 authors - about twice as many as last year - and include a tent sale with more than 8,000 used books.

The book tent will be open each day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Friday night will feature four special author panels - including learning how to become a writer and discussions on science fiction and fantasy - from 5 to 9 p.m.

A majority of the authors who will participate in the panels - and also hold book signings - live in Indiana or nearby cities like Louisville and Cincinnati.

James Alexander Thom, of Bloomington, known for his historical fiction novels, will be the guest of honor on Saturday and hold a signing.

Having written several novels, Thom is best known for "Follow the River," which made the The National Bestseller list and was developed into a movie.

During last year's fair, a crowd favorite was the pet adoption, which is set to return. All pets are up-to-date on their shots, spayed or neutered and given basic training.

This year's event is even more closely linked with local businesses, Hall said.

The fair's first 500 attendees will receive goodie bags with promotional items from local businesses, authors and publishing houses, including a seven-day pass to Anytime Fitness and samples from Galena Garlic Company.

New to the fair this year, the Jefferson County Girl Scouts will hold a cookie sale and O'Reilly's Automotive and River Valley Bank will host a car show at their locations on Clifty Drive.

In addition to the book fair, Mayor Damon Welch has proclaimed March 11 - 15 as Author Appreciation Week.

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To find out more about the authors who will attend the fair, visit www.thatbookplace.com.